Nearly 40,000 people hit the streets of the capital across the two-day Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend. Runners showed up for single events that ranged in distance from two-kilometres to over 42-kilometres, as well three multi-event challenges. On Sunday, 16,800 runners took over the streets of the capital for the marathon and half marathon. Runners were met with mild temperatures, cloudy skies and light rain — conditions many called ideal for long-distance racing. Among the thousands on the course on Sunday was Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, who began his run at 4 a.m. in support of the Ottawa Community Foundation’s campaign to end youth homelessness. Sutcliffe raised more than $117,000 through the effort. “We have an opportunity in our city to end youth homelessness once and for all,” Sutcliffe said. “And to be able to do that would be absolutely amazing.” In the marathon, first place in the men’s category went to Kenya’s Elvis Cheboi, who finished with a time of 02:09:22. He was closely followed by Gizealew Ayana from Ethiopia who finished with a time of 02:09:26 and Canadian Rory Linkletter who ran a 02:09:43. Linkletter podium finish for the second straight year. “Back-to-back years on the podium,” Linkletter said. “I’d love to win it for Canada one of these years, but I’ll just keep taking swings until it breaks my way.” In the women’s category, Abeba Aregawi of Sweden placed first with a 02:23:12 finish. Second place went to Tahir Kuftu of Ethiopia who finished with a time of 02:25:33. Betty Chepkorir of Kenya finished third with a time of 02:25:33. On the women’s side, Elissa Legault was the fastest Canadian finisher with a time of 2:29:12. “I’m tired, it was so hard,” Legault said. “But I’m very proud of how I ran.” Ash Little earned first place in the non-binary category with a time of 03:42:58. Another runner chasing history Sunday was Kristian Jamieson, the great-great grandson of legendary Canadian runner Tom Longboat. Jamieson entered the race hoping to beat Longboat’s record marathon time of 2:24:24, but despite falling short, he still managed to set a new personal best at 2:31:23. “I gave it my best out there,” Jamieson said. “It’s just motivation to train extra hard this summer and just keep crushing it.” In the half marathon, Canada’s Meghan Foottit finished in first place with a race time of 01:17:44. American Ryan Wojdyla’s 01:08:55 finish made him the first man to cross the finish line in the half marathon. Saturday’s men’s 10K event was a tight contest, with Andrew Alexander taking first with a time of 00:28:19, only three seconds ahead of second place Thomas Fafard. Florence Caron finished first in the women’s category with a time of 00:32:32. Centenarian Roy Allen made history this weekend, becoming the first 100-year-old Canadian to finish an official 5K race. According to Run Ottawa, runners and walkers have raised more than $850,000 for 87 local charities and the donation window will remain open until June 10. Marathon Men’s: Elvis Cheboi (02:09:22); Gizealew Ayana (02:09:26); Rory Linkletter (02:09:43) Women’s: Abeba Aregawi (02:23:12); Tahir Kuftu (02:25:33); Betty Chepkorir (02:25:33) Non-binary: Ash Little (03:42:58); William Paradis (03:44:08); Rowan Bell (03:53:25) Half Marathon Men’s: Ryan Wojdyla (01:08:55); Tyler Hamilton (01:10:39); Hyun Oh (01:11:28) Women’s: Meghan Foottit (01:17:44); Isabelle Morin (01:20:21); Aamna Sirohey (01:21:35) Non-binary: Steve Fitzgerald (01:32:22); Luc Nakashoji (01:39:27); Jacob Poudrier (01:47:12) 56.2K challenge (multi-event): Men’s: Robin Pantazis (4:10:44); Mathieu Nadeau (04:39:44); Michael Gosselin (04:48:11) Women’s: Annalisa Mazzarello (05:12:19); Esther Bourgoin (05:14:48); Janice Rowe (05:31:23) Non-binary: William Paradis (05:14:23) 36.1K challenge (multi-event): Men’s: Graham Shinn (02:16:04); Joshua Weissbock (02:30:04); Rafael Demers (02:33:39) Women’s: Robyn Fleury (02:32:24); Julie-anne Taupier (02:34:12); Lily Southcott (02:41:25) 17K challenge (multi-event): Men’s: Jake Meszaros (01:05:16); Jacob Rousseau (01:05:16); Oliver Bougie (01:05:27) Women’s: Hollyann Shields (01:14:11); Chloe Walker (01:14:16); Jennifer Lamont (01:20:06) 10K Men’s: Andrew Alexander (00:28:19); Thomas Fafard (00:28:22); Ben Flanagan (00:28:34) Women’s: Florence Caron (00:32:32); Sevanne Ghazarian (00:33:16); Cleo Boyd (00:33:18) Non-binary: William Paradis (00:52:33); Nouredine Achouri (00:52:42); Jack Grabina (00:54:50) 5K Men’s: Ken Lorbetskie (00:15:45); Sean Ibbot (00:15:50); Victor Lafontaine (00:15:52) Women’s: Kara Blair (00:17:01); Charlotte Gardner (00:18:27); Lilah Saibil (00:18:27) Non-binary: Elliot Tyman (00:19:51); O Duguay-Boucher (00:26:20); William Paradis (00:26:31) 2K Men’s: Jacob Rousseau (00:06:53); Kyle Boutilier (00:06:57); Robin Pantasiz (00:07:05) Women’s: Jordana Vered: (00:08:16); Janelle Massicotte (00:08:26); Sophia Lau (00:08:28) Non-binary: William Paradis (00:11:12); Grace Silnicki Hardie (00:12:51); Shelby Mceachern (00:13:45)
